FUMC Welcomes Investigative Committee Findings -As Committee Exonerates Pastor Williams of Fassa’s Accusations

MONROVIA – The First United Methodist Church (FUMC) says it welcomes the findings of the committee established by the Resident Bishop of the United Methodist Church to conduct a full-scale probe of complaints and allegations of corruption in the FUMC and against its senior pastor. The committee concluded its findings and investigations noting that the allegations were false, misleading, and without any documentation to substantiate the claims made by one Daniel T. Fassa who remains a suspended member of the FUMC.

 The committee’s report was discussed during a recent congregational and emergency meeting held at the FUMC on Ashmun and Gurley Streets recently. The Resident Bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church had received a letter of complaint from one Daniel T. Fassa in February of this year.  The committee consisted of Rev. Dr. Samuel Brown, District Superintendent of the Monrovia district conference, Bro. Powo C. Hilton, Chancellor of the LAC/UMC, and Bro. Torrence T. Toe, Lay Leader, Monrovia District Conference.

The committee observed that Bro. Fassa’s allegations were not only false and misleading, but he did not seek redress as provided for in the Church’s Book of Discipline.

“Considering all of the facts, the committee dismissed Bro. Fassa’s complaint for lack of evidence to support the allegations made against the senior pastor and Leadership of FUMC,” the press statement indicated.

The press statement furthered that the FUMC in a leadership meeting held on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, again reminded the public and most especially some local media institutions that Daniel T. Fassa remains suspended from all activities of the Church for persistent gross disrespect shown the senior pastor of the church through slanderous and libelous remarks about perceived corruption on the part of the pastor despite of several called meetings to substantiate his claims.

 “The freedom of expression which is being abused by many on social media, the church reminds the public to be mindful, as spurious and reckless allegations are made to injure people’s character and reputation by many unscrupulous persons. The church will consider other legal options to protect its image and the leadership which it serves,” the FUMC had stated at the time.

It can be recalled that in the last week, Mr. Daniel T. Fassa continued what council members have described as reckless disregard for the truth and made allegations against Rev. Dr. Julius Y. Z. K. Williams, Senior Pastor of FUMC, and the entire leadership of the church. It can also be recalled that it was further stated then that during the period of Bro. Fassa’s indefinite suspension, he was encouraged to regularly attend Sunday Worship Service, Bible Study, Prayer Meeting, and Revival, in anticipation that the word of God will ultimately make an impact on his character.

In an open letter to Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr., Resident Bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference/ United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC), dated February 1o, 2022, Bro. Daniel T. Fassa made allegations including an overstayed tenure of the senior pastor, poor interpersonal relationship with most church members, wholesale corrupt practices, usurping the functions of  church members, monopolizing the scholarship scheme, constantly inflating the church’s bills in order to have surplus for himself, among others. Same letter was published on the internet via various WhatsApp platforms by Bro. Fassa.

A formal complaint was filed by Rev. Williams, dated February 13, 2022, which requested the council to investigate the allegations against him with intention of cordially resolving this matter.

FUMC informs the public that Bro. Fassa has neither apologized for his wrongdoing nor shown any sign of remorse since his suspension. In fact, on March 23, 2022, Br. Fassa, in a letter addressed to the Ministry of Justice, Republic of Liberia, accused the Senior Pastor and Leaders of FUMC of financial crime. Same matter was forwarded to the office of the Resident Bishop of   the United Methodist Church (UMC) for investigation.

“Additionally, on Friday, December 23, 2022, Bro. Fassa again staged another attack on the church and its leaders on two local radio stations restating financial discrepancies and misapplication of thousands of United States dollars and Liberians dollars from the Church’s coffers.

“FUMC is also calling on the media to strive for accuracy and truth in reporting the facts and duly seeking information from all parties involved before reporting on matters to the public. Such practice honors the ethical guidelines of journalism and is healthy for our media landscape; therefore, FUMC would like to inform the police that Bro. Fassa`s allegations as mentioned herein are erroneous, unsubstantiated, malicious, and without supporting evidence. When given an opportunity to prove his allegations, he was unable to do so and openly disrespected the church council, the administrative authority of the church. Bro Fassa remains a suspended member from activities of FUMC, and the public is advised not to honor any business with Bro Daniel T. Fassa which regards the church,” the press statement indicated, while calling on the public to please contact the office of the First United Methodist Church on Ashmun Street for further details into the matter.